Prison authorities targeting Bester by depriving him of his dietary needs, argues defence

JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for Thabo Bester have accused prison authorities of targeting him by failing to provide the meals he requires for his medical condition.

Bester is accused of a brazen escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre where he was serving a life sentence for rape and murder.

He made an appearance in the Bloemfontein High Court alongside his accomplice Dr Nandipha Magudumana and their seven co-accused.

Magudumana, her father Zolile Sekeleni and the other accused are accused of aiding Bester’s escape in May 2022.

Bester and Magudumana were arrested while on the run in Tanzania last year.

For the first time on Wednesday, Thabo Bester’s new lawyer Mohamed Seedat told the court about his diabetes diagnosis.

This was after State prosecutor Advocate Amanda Bester told the court that Bester had been refusing prison meals despite taking chronic medication.

"The issue herein is if he does have that meal my client is a diabetic and the food that was provided to him will spike his sugar levels. Accused number 7 cannot consume any food this morning because the sugar levels and carbohydrates are very rich in the food they are offering to give him."

There was also no sign of the flashy designer gear that had been previously worn by Bester during his court appearances.

Instead, he appeared in a plain white t-shirt.

Seedat said that’s because prison officials had dictated to him what he could wear to court.

Advocate Bester has told the court that neither she nor the court can get involved in correctional services protocol - which Bester is subjected to as a sentenced prisoner.